Alofi, Niue
Alofi, Niue | |
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City | |
Alofi Central | |
Location of Alofi | |
Administrative divisions of Niue with Alofi on the western side of the island. | |
Country | Niue |
Village | Alofi North and Alofi South |
Government | |
• Assemblyman of Alofi North | Vaiga Tukuitoga[1] |
• Assemblyman of Alofi South | Dalton Tagelagi[2] |
Area | |
• Area of both Alofi North and Alofi South | 46.48 km2 (17.95 sq mi) |
Elevation[3] | 21 m (69 ft) |
Population (2011)[4] | |
• Total | 1,611 |
• Density | 12.5/km2 (32.46/sq mi) |
• Alofi North | 147 |
• Alofi South | 434 |
Resident Population[5] | |
• Residents (Alofi North) | 1,611 |
• Visitors (Alofi North) | 6,214 |
• Resident (Alofi South) | 1,611 |
• Visitor (Alofi South) | 6,214 |
Time zone | UTC-11 (UTC-11) |
Area code(s) | +683 |
Alofi is the capital of the Pacific Ocean island nation of Niue, which is located within the Realm of New Zealand. With a population of 1,611 (census of 2011), Alofi has the distinction of being the second smallest national capital city in terms of population (after Ngerulmud, capital of Palau). It consists of the two villages: Alofi North and Alofi South where the government headquarters are located.[4]
Geography
It is located at the centre of Alofi Bay on the west coast of the island, close to the only break in the coral reef that surrounds Niue. The bay stretches for 30% of the island's length (about seven kilometres) from Halagigie Point in the south to Makapu Point in the north. It is also notable that Alofi contains the world's largest toothbrush fence.
History
In January 2004, Niue was hit by the fierce tropical storm Cyclone Heta which killed two people and did extensive damage to the entire island. Many of Alofi's buildings were destroyed, including the hospital. Government buildings were shifted to a less exposed site 3 km (1.9 mi) inland from the west coast, named Fonuakula, after the storm.[6] This site is still within the village boundaries of Alofi South.
Climate
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Climate chart (explanation) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Alofi features a tropical rainforest climate under the Köppen climate classification, with no discernible dry season. The city has a noticeably drier stretch from June through September. However, all of these months average more than 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain, the limit for a dry season month. Like other cities with this climate, average temperatures remain relatively constant throughout the year, at 25 °C (77 °F).
Transport
The town is serviced by Niue International Airport, and there are numerous roads, both paved and dirt, that crisscross the town.[7]
Notes
References
- East-West Center (2009-01-20). "Niue recovery at $23 million, Alofi to be relocated". East-West Center. East-West Center. Archived from the original on 23 June 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-03.
- Kalauni, Hubert M (2008-06-10). "DECLARATION OF FINAL RESULT OF POLL FOR THE NIUE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY GENERAL ELECTION ¶ SATURDAY 7 JUNE 2008" (PDF). Government of Niue. Alofi, Niue. p. 2. Retrieved 2009-08-03.
- NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (2009-06-22). "Niue - Country Information Paper - NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade". NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Retrieved 2009-08-03.
- Siosikefu, Margaret Hagen; Haberkorn, Gerald (2008). Written at Auckland, New Zealand. Niue population profile based on 2006 census of population and housing: a guide for planners and policy-makers. Nouméa, New Caledonia: Secretariat of the Pacific Community. pp. 4–5. ISBN 978-982-00-0235-7. AACR2 304.609 9626. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2009-08-03. Retrieved 2009-08-03.
- "Weatherbase: Historical Weather for Alofi, Niue". Weatherbase. 2009. Retrieved 2009-08-03.
External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Alofi. |
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Coordinates: 19°03′S 169°54′W / 19.05°S 169.9°W